Live-In Maid (2004)
"Cama adentro" (original title)

A wealthy woman and her live-in housekeeper must adjust their entrenched routine and relationship when Buenos Aires is plunged into economic crisis.,

Director:

Jorge Gaggero

Writer:

Jorge Gaggero

Stars:

Norma Aleandro, Norma Argentina, Marcos Mundstock

7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Norma Aleandro	...	Beba Pujol
Norma Argentina	...	Dora
Marcos Mundstock	...	Víctor
Claudia Lapacó	...	Perla
Elsa Berenguer	...	Sara
Monica Gonzaga	...	Irma
Hilda Bernard
Susana Lanteri	...	Memé
Marina Wollman	...	Anfitriona del Country
Harry Havilio
Raul Panguinao	...	Miguel
Eduardo Rodriguez	...	Luisito
Arturo Goetz	...	Invitado en el Country
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nelly Prince

Storyline

Late in 2001, tough economic times in Buenos Aires mean that Beba, a slim, blond, and privileged divorcée, has no money to pay Dora, a doughy, nearly-silent maid who has lived with her for almost 30 years. Dora breaths in her dignity and resigns. She wants to finish work on her own house, with her less than reliable mate, Miguel. She also looks for a new job. Beba asks her ex-husband for financial help. He demurs. Can Beba adjust to new realities, find a way to pay Dora, and honor her lifetime of service, and can either make a life without the other? Does sisterhood cross class lines?

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Plot Keywords:

economics | maid | housekeeper | servant | buenos aires argentina | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Aqua Films

Country:

Argentina Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

26 May 2005 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Live-In Maid

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aquafilms, Filmanova, Libido Cine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

The human side of economic crisis

I haven't seen a lot of Argentinian films, but I have enjoyed immensely the ones I have. This is a great example of the art-house films that are made in Argentina.

Jorge Gaggero was honored not only in Argentina, but at Sundance for this work that he wrote and directed.

It tells the story of a rich woman, Beba(Norma Aleandro, The Official Story), who has fallen on hard times and cannot afford to pay her electric or phone, much less her maid. The Maid, Dora (Norma Argentina in her first role), is trying to build a house on the outskirts of town and needs the money to finish, so she quits to find another job.

Everything is done with grace, as Beba tries to keep up appearances, even as she has resorted to selling cosmetics door-to-door to pay the bills, or in some cases, just to eat. The dance between employer-employee becomes more and more intricate as the power relationship changes.

The ending was a big surprise, but a testament to the love these two women had built up for each other over 30 years.

A superb film.